A long, hard
look at the Roush F-150 Stage III pickup may offer hints into just how
difficult it will be for Ford’s SVT division to develop a next-generation
Lightning that can compete with the Dodge Ram SRT-10.

As reported
earlier, Ford
SVT postponed the Lightning project to concentrate on building the
new Mustang Cobra. Officials also said the new Ford F-150 platform created
a few logistical problems with implementing production of the next Lightning.
But we also believe SVT wasn’t going to release a new Lightning
unless the team knew it could match the SRT-10 in performance, or at least
give it a good fight for the money. That meant coming up with 500 horsepower
or more. Since SVT had already developed the 550-horsepower V8 engine
for the Ford GT, problem solved. Right?

The horsepower
may have been there but you still have to make the entire driveline live
under enthusiast conditions (read: burnouts, power slides, etc). And you
have to overcome the extra weight Ford engineers piled on the new-generation
F-150. The old Lightning weighed in at hefty 4670 pounds. That’s
much higher than the 4185-pound base curb weight listed for a V8-powered
2003 F-150 regular cab Flareside 4x2, so you can see how much weight that
performance and distinctive looks can add to a hot-rod pickup. Now consider
that the base curb weight a 2005 V8 regular cab 4x2 is 4811 pounds. The
next Ford Lightning would probably weigh in well over 5000 pounds. What
if you tried to hop up a new SuperCab?

That’s
what Roush Performance will do for you with its cool-looking
line of trucks. There are a number of stages and models that the Roush
can create for just about any F-150 configuration and trim level, including
4x4s. The lineup includes:

Stage
I: In addition to the Tejon mods and options, you get lowered suspension
with special springs and shocks

Stage
II: Adds body kit

Stage
III: Adds muscle

Open the
hood of a Roush F-150 Stage 3 and there is a black Manguson supercharger
sitting on top of the 5.4-liter Triton V8. Unfortunately the hood scoop
didn’t direct air directly to the supercharger’s intake, but
there is a cold-air box that helps avoid engine heat. The supercharger
will add about 6 pounds of boost, lifting the horsepower to 405 at 5400
rpm. Peak torque of 480 lb-ft comes in at 4200 rpm.